Breast pump

ABSTRACT

[Problem] To provide a breast pump capable of securely holding a breast of a user and intensively stimulating a particular potion of the breast.  
     [Means for Resolution] A breast pump  100  including a milk container main body  110 ; deformable means  170  for forming a sealed space; a horn member  150 ; space internal pressure altering means  190  for alternately providing a negative pressure condition and an atmospheric pressure condition in the sealed space; and a communicating portion  130 , wherein: the horn member has a base end portion  151  disposed near the communicating portion and an opening end  152  disposed near an entrance through which the breast is inserted; the deformable means covers the inner surface of the horn member  150  and has a base end side attachable and detachable portion  171  to be fixed to the base end of the horn member and an opening side attachable and detachable portion  172  to be fixed to the opening end of the horn member; the deformable means has a stimulating convex  173  disposed between the base end side attachable and detachable portion and the opening side attachable and detachable portion; and the horn member has atmospheric pressure condition creating means for maintaining an atmospheric pressure condition in a space between the stimulating convex and the horn member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an improvement of a breast pump such asa manual breast pump operated manually and an electrically-poweredbreast pump driven by a motor or other means, providing a breast pumpcapable of periodically varying suction pressure.

BACKGROUND ART

As a manual breast pump or other which includes a suction pump or othercomponent operated by a user, a type having a deformable sucking portionhas been proposed (see Patent Reference No. 1, for example). Asillustrated in FIG. 1 of Patent Reference No. 1, a manual breast pumpincludes a large cup 41 made from elastic material to directly contact abreast of the user, and a shell 43 made from rigid material and disposedoutside the large cup 41. When a suction pump 5 is operated with thelarge cup 41 attached to the breast of the user, negative pressure isgenerated within the large cup 41. Then, the large cup 41 made fromelastic material is sucked toward the breast and thus presses thebreast, thereby effectively sucking milk.

Patent Reference No. 1: JP-A-2002-85552 (FIG. 1 and others)

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems that the Invention is to Solve

In the breast pump disclosed in Patent Reference No. 1, however, theentire body of the large cup 41 is deformed by the negative pressuredescribed above. For efficiently sucking mother's milk, it is necessaryto intensively stimulate the mammary areola and the adjoining region.Since the large cup 41 is entirely deformed, the conventional breastpump cannot intensively stimulate the particular area.

Additionally, in the periphery and other regions of the manual breastpump shown in Patent Reference No. 1, the rim of the large cup 41 islargely deformed when the negative pressure is produced inside the largecup 41 as described above. As a result, the user's breast cannot besecurely held by the breast pump thus deformed.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

The above problems are solved by a breast pump of claim 1 according tothe invention, including: a milk container main body capable ofaccommodating sucked mother's milk; deformable means for providing asealed space by contacting a breast; a horn member disposed outside thedeformable means; space internal pressure altering means for alternatelyproviding a negative pressure condition and an atmospheric pressurecondition in the sealed space; and a communicating portion forconnecting the space internal pressure altering means and the sealedspace, characterized in that: the horn member is not deformed wheninternal pressure within the sealed space varies and has a base enddisposed near the communicating portion and an opening end disposed nearan entrance through which the breast is inserted; the deformable meanscovers the inner surface of the horn member, deforms when internalpressure within the sealed space varies, and has an attachable anddetachable portion which is attachable to and detachable from the hornmember; the attachable and detachable portion has a base end sideattachable and detachable portion to be fixed to the base end of thehorn member and an opening side attachable and detachable portion to befixed to the opening end of the horn member; the deformable means has astimulating convex projecting inwardly; the stimulating convex isdisposed between the base end side attachable and detachable portion andthe opening side attachable and detachable portion; and the horn memberhas atmospheric pressure condition creating means for maintaining anatmospheric pressure condition in a space between the stimulating convexand the horn member.

According to claim 1 of the invention, the breast pump includes thedeformable means for providing a sealed space by contacting the breast,the horn member disposed outside the deformable means, and the spaceinternal pressure altering means for alternately providing a negativepressure condition and an atmospheric pressure condition in the sealedspace. The deformable means covers the inner surface of the horn memberand deforms when the internal pressure in the sealed space varies.

Thus, the deformable means deforms to project toward the breast whennegative pressure is created within the sealed space by the spaceinternal pressure altering means. Then, when an atmospheric pressurecondition is produced within the sealed space, the deformable meansreturns to the condition prior to the deformation.

The horn member is not deformed even when the internal pressure in thesealed space varies, and has the base end disposed near thecommunicating portion and the opening end disposed near the entrancethrough which the breast is inserted. The deformable means has theattachable and detachable portion which is attachable to and detachablefrom the horn member, and the attachable and detachable portion has thebase end side attachable and detachable portion to be fixed to the baseend of the horn member and the opening side attachable and detachableportion to be fixed to the opening end of the horn member.

The base end side attachable and detachable portion and the opening sideattachable and detachable portion of the deformable means are disposedon the base end and the opening end, respectively, of the horn memberwhich is not deformed even when the internal pressure in the sealedspace varies.

The deformable means has the stimulating convex projecting inwardly anddisposed between the base end side attachable and detachable portion andthe opening side attachable and detachable portion.

Thus, when the deformable means is deformed by the space internalpressure altering means, an area of the deformable means between thebase end side attachable and detachable portion and the opening sideattachable and detachable portion deforms or exhibits other changestoward the breast. Since the stimulating convex is disposed in the areawhere the deformable means deforms, the stimulating convex intensivelystimulates a particular portion such as mammary areola of the breast,thereby efficiently sucking mother's milk.

The base end side attachable and detachable portion and the opening sideattachable and detachable portion of the deformable means are disposedon and fixed to the base end and the opening end, respectively, of thehorn member which does not deform even when the internal pressure in thesealed space varies. Thus, the entire shape formed by the deformablemeans and the horn member is not greatly changed even when theintermediate portions and other area thereof are deformed. Accordingly,the situation that the breast of the user cannot be held securely due tothe excessive deformation of the opening end, for example, can beprevented in advance.

More specifically, when the breast pump is pressed against the breastwith the base end side attachable and detachable portion and the openingside attachable and detachable portion of the deformable means disposedon the horn member, the sealed space between the deformable means andthe breast is securely sealed due to the rigidity of the horn member.Additionally, the intermediate portion of the deformable means isdeformable as the intermediate portion is not fixed to the horn member.

Accordingly, it is possible to simultaneously meet both the requirementsfor the easily deformable structure to stimulate the breast for suckingand for the rigid structure difficult to deform for contacting thebreast and avoiding breakage of the sealed space.

The horn member has atmospheric pressure condition creating means formaintaining an atmospheric pressure condition in a space between thestimulating convex and the horn member.

More specifically, since the horn member disposed outside the deformablemeans is not deformed by the space internal pressure altering means,negative pressure and the like is generated in a space between the hornmember and the area of the deformable means where the stimulating convexis provided, for example. As a result, the deformation of the deformablemeans may be prevented by the horn member. In this aspect, according tothe invention of this claim, the atmospheric pressure condition creatingmeans is provided on the horn member so as to maintain an atmosphericpressure condition in the space between the stimulating convex and thehorn member in this claim of the invention. Accordingly, the deformationor other change of the deformable means due to the negative pressurecreated in the sealed space is not prevented but is smoothly achieved,thereby allowing more efficient sucking to be performed.

Provided according to claim 2 of the invention is a breast pump as inclaim 1, characterized in that the stimulating convex of the deformablemeans is disposed in the vicinity of a curvature altering portion wherea curvature of the base end of the horn member alters.

According to the structure of claim 2, the stimulating convex of thedeformable means is disposed in the vicinity of the curvature alteringportion where the curvature of the base end of the horn member alters.

Since the mammary areola and the adjoining region of the breast ispositioned in the vicinity of the curvature altering portion where thecurvature of the base end of the horn member alters when the breast ofthe user is attached, the mammary areola and the adjoining region of thebreast which are to be stimulated most for efficient sucking of milk canbe intensively stimulated by the stimulating convex.

As a result, mother's milk is more easily and effectively sucked.

Provided according to claim 3 of the invention is a breast pump as inclaim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base end side attachable anddetachable portion of the deformable means is disposed between thecommunicating portion and the base end of the horn member.

According to the structure of claim 3, the base end side attachable anddetachable portion of the deformable means is disposed between thecommunicating portion and the base end of the horn member. Thus, thebase end side attachable and detachable portion is easily disposed byinserting the base end side attachable and detachable portion betweenthe communicating portion and the horn member. Accordingly, the base endside attachable and detachable portion can be easily and securelydisposed and fixed without requiring a complicated structure, and thedeformable means is prevented from separating from the horn member whenthe deformable means deforms due to fluctuation in negative pressureproduced within the sealed space.

Provided according to claim 4 of the invention is a breast pump as inany one of claims 1 through 3, characterized in that the atmosphericpressure condition creating means is a vent opening for connecting aspace between the horn member and the deformable means with the outside.

According to the structure of claim 4, since the atmospheric pressurecondition creating means is a vent opening for connecting the spacebetween the horn member and the deformable means with the outside, theatmospheric pressure condition creating means can be easily manufacturedat low cost.

Provided according to claim 5 of the invention is a breast pump as inany one of claims 1 through 4, characterized in that a deformation guideportion for regulating a deformation direction of the deformable meansis provided on the deformable means.

According to the structure of claim 5, since the deformation directionof the deformable means is regulated by the deformation guide portion ofthe deformable means, the deformable means can be made to deform in adirection where the stimulating convex intensively contacts the mammaryareola and other regions of the breast, for example. Accordingly, thebreast can be effectively stimulated by the breast pump.

Provided according to claim 6 of the invention is a breast pump as inclaim 5, characterized in that: the stimulating convex is provided at aplurality of positions within the deformable means, and at least some ofthese stimulating convexes are opposed to each other on a first virtualline; and the deformation guide portion is disposed on a second virtualline which crosses the first virtual line.

According to the structure of claim 6, the plural stimulating convexesare opposed to each other on the first virtual line, and the deformationguide portion is disposed on the second virtual line which crosses thefirst virtual line.

Thus, the deformable means is deformed in a direction where thestimulating convexes which are disposed on the deformable means in suchpositions as to be opposed to each other approach each other byprovision of the deformation guide portion.

At this stage, the stimulating convexes approaching each otherintensively stimulate the mammary areola and other regions positionedwithin the deformable means from two directions such as from above andbelow.

This condition is similar to the condition where a baby and others takea nipple of a mother into their mouths to suck milk. More specifically,a baby and others press a nipple of a mother by inserting the nipplebetween their tongues and the upper palates or other area within theirmouths to peristaltically move the tongues. That is, a baby and othersstimulate the nipple and other area from two directions such as fromabove and below.

Since the stimulating convexes stimulate the mammary areola and otherregion from two directions with respect to the nipple in this invention,the stimulating convexes act similarly to the real motion of a baby andothers for sucking milk. Accordingly, the breast can be more efficientlystimulated by the breast pump.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has an advantage of providing a breast pumpcapable of securely holding a breast of a user and intensivelystimulating a particular region of the breast.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments according to the present invention are hereinafterdescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings.

Various preferred limitations in view of technical aspects are given tothe embodiments described herein as they are preferred specific examplesof the invention. However, the scope of the invention is not limited tothe embodiments so far as no description limiting the invention is madeherein.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a manual breastpump 100 in a first embodiment according to the present invention, andFIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the manual breast pump 100in FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the manual breast pump 100 has a milkcontainer main body for accommodating sucked milk such as a milk bottle110. The milk bottle 110 is made from glass or plastic resin such as PES(polyethersulfone), polycarbonate and polypropylene.

A communicating portion 130 is provided in the vicinity of an opening(in the upper region) of the milk bottle 110 in such a position as tocover the opening of the milk bottle 110. The communicating portion 130has a first opening S1 disposed in the upper right, a second opening S2in the lower region, and a third opening S3 in the upper left in FIG. 2.

A first vent passage U1 is formed between the first opening S1 and thesecond opening S2, and a second vent passage U2 is formed between thesecond opening S2 and the third opening S3. A valve 200 is provided insuch a position as to cover the second opening S2 as shown in FIG. 2.

The valve 200 has a slit 201 for allowing the valve 200 to open to themilk bottle 110 so that sucked mother's milk can pass through the slit201 to fall into the milk bottle 110. The valve 200 is not limited tothe type shown in FIG. 2 but may be other type as long as it canseparate air in the milk bottle and air in the communicating portion 130at the time of sucking. Alternatively, the valve may be eliminated.

Deformable means such as a deformable member 170 with which the breastof a user contacts and a horn-shaped portion such as a horn member 150disposed outside the deformable member 170 are provided near the firstopening S1. The horn member 150 is a bowl-shaped component asillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 2. The horn member 150 in FIG.3 is made from a rigid material such as polycarbonate, PES,polypropylene, polyamide, polycycloolefin and other resins, and has astructure not easily deformed.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, an accommodating portion 132 which isconnecting means for accommodating the deformable member 170 and thehorn member 150 and attaching those to the communicating portion 130 isprovided at the first opening S1 of the communicating portion 130. Theaccommodating portion 132 in a region close to the first opening S1 ofthe communicating portion 130 has a larger diameter to extend outwardlyas shown in the figure.

The horn member 150 has a base end such as a horn base end portion 151which is disposed near the accommodating portion 132 of thecommunicating portion 130. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the horn base endportion 151 has a base end side deformable member positioning portion151 b for positioning a base end side attachable and detachable portionof the deformable member 170 such as a base end side detachable andattachable portion 171 (to be described later) which is sandwichedbetween the horn base end portion 151 and the accommodating portion 132.When the base end side detachable and attachable portion 171 is disposedat the base end side deformable member positioning portion 151 b asshown in FIG. 3 and then the horn member 150 is accommodated in theaccommodating portion 132 of the communicating portion 130 as shown inFIG. 2, the base end side detachable and attachable portion 171 of thedeformable member 170 comes to be positioned between the horn member 150and the communicating portion 130.

Thus, the base end side detachable and attachable portion 171 issandwiched between the horn member 150 and the communicating portion 130to be fixed therein. This fixation only requires the base end sidedetachable and attachable portion 171 to be positioned at the base endside deformable member positioning portion 151 b and then accommodatedin the accommodating portion 132 of the communicating portion 130, andthus an easy and reliable fixing structure can be realized.

Additionally, the horn base end portion 151 has a positioning convex 151a for positioning the horn member 150 which is attached to theaccommodating portion 132 of the communicating portion 130. The hornmember 150 is positioned by the positioning convex 151 a which contactsthe end of the accommodating portion 132 of the communicating portion130.

The horn member 150 has an opening end such as a horn opening portion152 disposed in the right region in FIG. 3. Since the user inserts thebreast through the horn opening portion 152, the horn opening portion152 is located at an entrance through which the breast is inserted.

The deformable member 170 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and other figures ismade from elastic material such as silicone rubber, elastomer andisoprene rubber. The base end side detachable and attachable portion 171which is fixed to the horn base end portion 151 of the horn member 150is formed on the deformable member 170 near the communicating portion130. The base end side detachable and attachable portion 171 is insertedinto the communicating portion 130 to be fixed therein as describedabove. Thus, the base end side detachable and attachable portion 171functions as a packing which securely seals the clearance between thecommunicating portion 130 and the horn member 150.

An opening side attachable and detachable portion such as an openingside detachable and attachable portion 172 which is fixed to the hornopening portion 152 of the horn member 150 is formed on the deformablemember 170 near the opening thereof (in the right region in FIG. 3).More specifically, the opening side detachable and attachable portion172 is provided in such a position as to cover the entire circumferenceof the horn opening portion 152, whereby the opening side detachable andattachable portion 172 is fixed thereon and prevented from beingseparated therefrom easily as illustrated in FIG. 3. The opening sidedetachable and attachable portion 172 is an area which is pushed againstthe breast at the time of sucking. Thus, the opening side detachable andattachable portion 172 scarcely comes off during use, and may be fixedwith smaller fixing force than that for fixing the base end sidedetachable and attachable portion 171 or may be partially provided onthe horn opening portion 152 rather than on its entire circumference.

Accordingly, the deformable member 170 is fixed to the horn member 150at the two points of the base end side detachable and attachable portion171 and the opening side detachable and attachable portion 172, and theregion between the two fixed positions is not fixed to the horn member150.

For detaching the deformable member 170 thus disposed, the base end sidedetaching and attaching member 171 can be easily removed by separatingthe horn member 150 from the accommodating portion 132 of thecommunicating portion 130. The opening side detachable and attachableportion 172 can be easily detached by the user's hand since thedeformable member 170 is a flexible component.

Thus, the deformable member 170 can be easily attached to and detachedfrom the horn member 150.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the deformable member 170 has four, forexample, stimulating convexes 173 projecting inwardly and formed betweenthe base end side detachable and attachable portion 171 and the openingside detachable and attachable portion 172. The stimulating convexes 173are disposed in the vicinity of a curvature altering portion 154 wherethe curvature of the horn base end portion 151 of the horn member 150alters. The stimulating convexes 173 curve at the positions of outersurface portions 173 a and project out from the flat surface of thedeformable member 170, allowing the outer surface portions 173 a and thestimulating convexes 173 to be easily deformed in accordance with thedeformation of the deformable member 170.

The stimulating convexes 173 are disposed at the four points opposed oneanother vertically and horizontally in FIG. 3, but may be obliquelypositioned by rotating the stimulating convexes 173 through 45 degrees.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates how mother's milk is produced in thehuman breast. As shown in this figure, the production and secretion ofmilk can be promoted by intensively pressing the mammary areola fromoutside to stimulate that portion.

The mammary areola is located in the vicinity of the curvature alteringportion 154 shown in FIG. 3 when the breast is inserted into thedeformable member 170 shown in FIG. 2 by the user. Thus, when negativepressure is generated by the action of negative pressure generatingmeans 190 to be described later, the deformable member 170, especiallythe stimulating convexes 173 project inwardly, i.e., toward the breast.At this time, the mammary areola of the breast is stimulated and theproduction of milk is thus promoted.

Additionally, the horn member 150 has atmospheric pressure conditioncreating means such as four vent openings 153 at positions correspondingto the stimulating convexes 173.

More specifically, when the space between the deformable member 170 andthe horn member 150 is sealed in the structure where the negativepressure generating means 190 generates negative pressure to deform thedeformable member 170 so that the deformable member 170 projects towardthe breast as described above, negative pressure and the like producedin that sealed space prevents the inward deformation of the deformablemember 170. However, if atmospheric pressure is maintained in the spacebetween the horn member 150 and the stimulating convexes 173 of thedeformable member 170, negative pressure and the like are not generatedtherein and thus the actions of the stimulating convexes 173 are notprevented.

Since the deformation of the stimulating convexes 173 is not hindered,the mammary areola is more effectively stimulated and secretion of milkis more promoted.

Space internal pressure altering means such as the negative pressuregenerating means 190 is provided near the third opening S3 shown in FIG.2 in such a position as to cover the third opening S3. The negativepressure generating means 190 has a lever 191 which is held and operatedby the user as shown in FIG. 2. The negative pressure generating means190 also has a piston guide 192 inside of which a packing 131 a at thetip of a fixed piston 131 formed integrally with the communicatingportion 130 slides.

A leaf spring 210 is disposed between the lever 191 and thecommunicating portion 130 shown in FIG. 2, which lever urges thenegative pressure generating means 190 in a direction indicated by anarrow A1 in FIG. 2. The negative pressure generating means 190 also haspressure regulating means 194 for regulating pressure within the firstvent passage U1 and the second vent passage U2 shown in FIG. 2.

When the breast is inserted from the deformable member 170 side to bringthe breast into contact with the deformable member 170, the first ventpassage U1 and the second vent passage U2 shown in FIG. 2 are sealed bythe breast.

In this condition, the user shifts the lever 191 in a directionindicated by an arrow B1 in FIG. 2 while resisting the urging force ofthe leaf spring 210. FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the condition inwhich the lever 191 shown in FIG. 2 is shifted in the direction of thearrow B1 during sucking.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, negative pressure is generated in the ventpassages U1 and U2, thereby establishing a pressure differential betweenthe pressure in those passages and the atmospheric pressure. Thus, thecommunication portion 130 connects the sealed space between the negativepressure generating means 190 and the deformable member 170 where thebreast is positioned.

Since the horn member 150 shown in FIG. 5 is made from highly rigidmaterial, the horn member 150 is not deformed by the negative pressure.On the other hand, since an area of the deformable member 170 betweenthe base end side detachable and attachable portion 171 and the openingside detachable and attachable portion 172, which area is not fixed tothe horn member 150, is made from flexible material, that area of thedeformable member 170 is deformed inwardly as illustrated in FIG. 5.

Especially, as the pressure in the space between the horn member 150 andthe deformable member 170 is kept equal to the atmospheric pressure inthe regions where the vent openings 153 of the horn member 150 areformed, those regions are positively deformed with no force forpreventing the deformation applied thereto.

As described above, since the stimulating convexes 173 are disposed inthe regions which are to be securely deformed as shown in FIG. 5, thearea in the vicinity of the mammary areola of the user can beintensively stimulated as described above, thereby promoting productionof mother's milk more effectively for enhanced sucking operation.

While negative pressure is generated by the negative pressure generatingmeans 190 and thus the deformable member 170 is deformed, the base endside detachable and attachable portion 171 and the opening sidedetachable and attachable portion 172 are fixed to the horn member 150which is not deformed. Especially, the base end side detachable andattachable portion 171 which is inserted to be fixed does not move tocome off by the deformation. Accordingly, the condition that the openingside detachable and attachable portion 172 or other portion is deformedtoo much to hold the breast of the user can be avoided in advance. Morespecifically, when the breast is attached to the breast pump 100, thespace between the deformable member 170 and the breast can be securelysealed by the rigidity of the horn member 150 as the opening sidedetachable and attachable portion 172 and the base end side detachableand attachable portion 171 are fixed to the horn member 150.

On the other hand, as the region between the opening side detachable andattachable portion 172 and the base end side detachable and attachableportion 171 of the deformable member 170 is not fixed to the horn member150 and is thus easily deformed, the breast can be stimulated atrequired positions. Accordingly, in this embodiment as described above,it is possible to simultaneously meet both the requirements for theeasily deformable structure to stimulate the breast for the efficientsucking and for the rigid structure difficult to deform for contactingthe breast and avoiding breakage of the sealed space.

When the negative pressure generating means 190 shown in FIG. 5 isfurther shifted in the direction indicated by the arrow B1, thecondition shown in FIG. 6 is established. FIG. 6 schematicallyillustrates an air leak condition.

As shown in FIG. 6, the packing 131 a at the tip of the fixed piston 131of the communicating portion 130 reaches a leak tip 193 of the pistonguide 192 of the negative pressure generating means 190. At this stage,a clearance between the packing 131 a and the negative pressuregenerating means 190 is produced and the sealed conditions in the secondvent passage U2 and the first vent passage U1 are broken, allowing thenegative pressure to be equivalent to the atmospheric pressure. Then,the stimulating convexes 173 having stimulated the breast to promote theproduction of milk are separated from the breast.

At this stage, mother's milk secreted and sucked from the mammarypapilla opens slit 201 of the valve 200 by its own weight to fall intothe milk bottle 110.

Then, the user loosens the lever 191 which has been pressed to shift thenegative pressure generating means 190 again in the direction indicatedby the arrow A1 by the urging force of the leaf spring 210, whereby thespace between the packing 131 a and the piston guide 192 is sealed toestablish the condition in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the manual breast pump100 can achieve pulsation sucking by manipulation of the lever 191.

Since openings as the vent openings 153 are formed on the horn member150 and the stimulating convexes 173 are disposed in the positionscorresponding to the vent openings 153 as illustrated in FIG. 2 or otherfigures, the manual breast pump 100 has a simple structure and ismanufactured at low cost and easily manipulated.

Example Modified from Embodiment 1

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a manual breast pump 400 in an examplemodified from the first embodiment. Since many structures included inthe manual breast pump 400 in this example are similar to those of themanual breast pump 100 in the first embodiment, reference numbers andthe like similar to those in the first embodiment are given to thesimilar structures and the description of those is omitted. The modifiedexample is now described while putting emphasis on its different pointsfrom the first embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a stimulating convex 473 is formed only on oneside, a side beneath the breast in this figure, for example, of adeformable member 470 in this modified example. A vent opening 453 isdisposed only on a lower side of a horn member 450 in correspondencewith the stimulating convex 473. When the breast is brought into contactwith the deformable member 470 as illustrated in FIG. 7, production ofmother's milk can be effectively promoted even by stimulating only thelower side of the mammary areola using the stimulating convex 473.

According to this example in which the stimulating convex 473 is formedonly on the lower side, it is possible to give a mother a feelingsimilar to sucking by a baby in which rise of the tongue peristalticallymoves with suction pressure as the negative pressure generated.

Additionally, this example is different from the first embodiment in thestructure of the connecting means formed by the accommodating portion132 of the communicating portion 130, the base end side deformablemember positioning portion 151 b of the horn member 150 and the base endside detachable and attachable portion 171 of the deformable member 170.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a base end side detachable and attachableportion 471 attached to the base end side deformable member positioningportion 451 b is press-fitted such that the base end side detachable andattachable portion 471 covers connecting means 432 as an accommodatingportion. More specifically, not only the base end side detachable andattachable portion 471 but also a detaching and attaching region of thedeformable member 470 is sandwiched between the connecting means 432 andthe base end side deformable member positioning portion 451 b so as tosecurely fix the deformable member 470 without separation thereof. Sincethe connecting means 432 is disposed at an inner position from thedeformable member 470, the inside surface of the connecting means 432 iscurved so as not to stimulate the breast by its edges.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a main part of a manual breast pump 300in a second embodiment according to the invention. Since many structuresincluded in the manual breast pump 300 in FIG. 8 are similar to those ofthe manual breast pump 100 in the first embodiment, reference numbersand the like similar to those in the first embodiment are given to thesimilar structures and the description of those is omitted. The secondembodiment is now described while putting emphasis on its differentpoints from the first embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the second embodiment is different from thefirst embodiment in that the horn member and the communicating portionare not separated but formed as a communicating portion 330 includingthe horn member. That is, the communicating portion 130 and the hornmember 150 in the first embodiment are formed as the one-piececommunicating portion 330 which has a horn area to be attached to thebreast.

The communicating portion 330 has a hole 331 for attaching and detachingthe base end side of the deformable member 370. The hole 331 forattaching and detaching the base end side is a round penetration intowhich a base end side attachable and detachable portion 372 formed onthe deformable member 370 is inserted. Since the base end sideattachable and detachable portion 372 is a round convex which isslightly larger than the hole 331 for attaching and detaching the baseend side, the base end side attachable and detachable portion 372 can befixed thereto.

Accordingly, unlike the first embodiment, a holding member fordetachably fixing the base end side of the deformable member 370 to thecommunicating portion 330 as the one-piece component of the horn memberand the communicating portion is provided so as to secure the deformablemember 370 in this embodiment.

The base end side attachable and detachable portion 372 or othercomponent as the holding means may be provided on the horn member 150and the communicating portion 130 as separated components in the firstembodiment.

Furthermore, this embodiment is different from the first embodiment inthat the thickness of stimulating convexes 373 formed on the deformablemember 370 is increased. More specifically, since the cross section ofthe stimulating convexes 373 is substantially semicircular asillustrated in FIG. 8, the stimulating convexes 373 can offer strongstimulation. Vent openings 353 are formed in the positions correspondingto the stimulating convexes 373 similarly to the first embodiment.Alternatively, the stimulating convexes 373 may have a thinner-wallstructure so as to be more deformable.

According to the manual breast pump 300 in this embodiment, the numberof the components included therein is not increased since thecommunicating portion and the horn member are formed as a one-piececomponent, and strong stimulation can be provided by means of thestimulating convexes 373 during sucking.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a manual breast pump 500 in a thirdembodiment according to the invention. Since many structures included inthe manual breast pump 500 in this embodiment are similar to those ofthe manual breast pump 100 in the first embodiment, reference numbersand the like similar to those in the first embodiment are given to thesimilar structures and the description of those is omitted. The thirdembodiment is now described while putting emphasis on its differentpoints from the first embodiment.

This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that thecommunicating portion and the horn member are formed as a one-piececommunicating portion 530 which has a horn area to be attached to thebreast. Vent openings are not provided on the communicating portion 530,and vent openings 553 are formed between a horn opening portion 552 ofthe communication portion 530 and an opening side attachable anddetachable portion 572 of a deformable member 570 as illustrated in FIG.9. More specifically, the groove-shaped vent openings 553 extend fromthree stimulating convexes 573 of the deformable member 570 in thisembodiment toward the opening through which the breast is inserted suchthat the grooves surround the horn opening portion 552, whereby thestimulating convexes 573 communicate with the outside air. As shown inthe upper region of the figure, the deformable member 570 is disposed insuch a position as to cover the horn opening portion 552 in an areaother than the vent openings 553 so as to be also fixed at the opening.

Thus, the vent openings 553 shown in FIG. 9 function as an example ofatmospheric pressure condition creating means for maintaining anatmospheric pressure condition in the area between the deformable member570 and the communicating portion 530.

There is no convex and concave engagement between a base end sidedetachable and attachable portion 571 of the deformable member 570 andthe communicating portion 530, and those components are fixed to eachother by frictional force generated by a large contacting areatherebetween or by press-fitting the base end side detachable andattachable portion 571 of the deformable member 570 having slightlylarger outside diameter than the inside diameter of the communicatingportion 530 into the communicating portion 530.

In this embodiment, only the deformable member 570 is required to beprepared and attached to a horn-shaped component of an existing breastpump before use as no special structure is included in the communicatingportion 530. Moreover, the manual breast pump 500 can be used when thesizes of the breast and the mammary areola vary and thus the breastcannot be positioned in the communicating portion 530.

Embodiment 4

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates an electrically-powered breast pump600 in a fourth embodiment according to the invention. Since manystructures included in the manual breast pump 600 in this embodiment aresimilar to those of the manual breast pump 100 in the first embodiment,reference numbers and the like similar to those in the first embodimentare given to the similar structures and the description of those isomitted. The fourth embodiment is now described while putting emphasison its different points from the first embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the electrically-powered breast pump 600includes a pump unit 610 and bottle holders 620 disposed in the vicinityof both sides of the pump unit 610. The pump unit 610 is a component fordriving the pump using a motor or other means, and is employed in lieuof the negative pressure generating means 170 shown in FIG. 1. Morespecifically, negative pressure is manually produced within thecommunicating portion 130 and the deformable member 170 in the firstembodiment, but is generated by means of the electrically-powered pumpin this embodiment.

A bottle unit 650 having the milk bottle 110, the deformable member 170and the horn member 150 is disposed in each of the bottle holders 620.While the milk bottle 110, the deformable member 170 and the horn member150 included in the bottle unit 650 are the same as those in the firstembodiment, a communicating portion 630 is slightly different. Morespecifically, since the suction force as the negative pressure issupplied from the pump unit 610, the bottle units 650 are connected tothe pump unit 610 through suction tubes 640 as illustrated in FIG. 10.

The pump unit 610 has a power source switch 610 a, suction controllingdial 610 b and others.

For the electrically-powered breast pump capable of periodically varyingnegative pressure of this type, not only the structure in the firstembodiment but also the structure in any of other embodiments may beadopted.

Also in this embodiment, negative pressure is generated by the pump unit610, and the mammary areola of the breast is intensively stimulated bymeans of the stimulating convexes 173 of the deformable member 170. As aresult, secretion of milk is promoted and thus efficient sucking isattained. Especially, since negative pressure is produced moreefficiently by means which is not manual but electrically powered inthis embodiment, the labor required for a mother or others as the usercan be reduced.

Embodiment 5

FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a structureincluding a horn member 750, a deformable member 770 and othercomponents as a main part of a manual breast pump 700 in a fifthembodiment according to the invention. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional viewschematically illustrating the horn member 750, the deformable member770 and other components shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a schematiccross-sectional view of FIG. 12 taken along a line A-A′ in FIG. 12.

Since many structures included in the manual breast pump 700 in thisembodiment are similar to those of the manual breast pump 100 in thefirst embodiment, reference numbers and the like similar to those in thefirst embodiment are given to the similar structures and the descriptionof those is omitted. The fifth embodiment is now described while puttingemphasis on its different points from the first embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, an opening side detachable and attachableportion 772 of a deformable member 770 is provided in such a position asto cover a horn opening portion 752 as a horn opening end of the hornmember 750 similarly to the third embodiment. A vent opening 753 isprovided between the horn opening portion 752 and the opening sidedetachable and attachable portion 772.

Thus, an atmospheric pressure condition is maintained in the spacebetween the horn member 750 and the deformable member 770 through thevent opening 753 shown in FIG. 12.

The breast pump 700 operates in this condition. When negative pressureis generated within the deformable member 770, the space between thedeformable member 770 and the horn member 750 is brought into anatmospheric pressure condition by the air flow introduced through thevent opening 753. Since negative pressure is not created in that space,the actions of stimulating convexes 773 shown in FIG. 12 are notprevented due to negative pressure similarly to the third embodiment.

Accordingly, the stimulating convexes 773 disposed only vertically canintensively stimulate the mammary areola and other areas of the user.

In this embodiment shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, deformation guideportions 778 for regulating the deformation direction of the deformablemember 770 are provided on the deformable member 770.

The deformation guide portions 778 are fragile regions having thinnerwalls than other areas as illustrated in FIG. 13, for example, and havesubstantially the same length as that of the stimulating convexes 773.

As illustrated in FIG. 11 and other figures, each of the stimulatingconvexes 773 is formed at two points of the deformable member 770vertically in the figure in such positions as to be opposed to eachother on a first virtual line K1. The two deformation guide portions 778are disposed on a second virtual line K2 which crosses the first virtualline K1 at right angles, for example, in such positions as to be opposedto each other.

In this embodiment, the two deformation guide portions 778 are oblong(indicated by a broken line in FIG. 11), for example.

In the manual breast pump 700 having the above structure according tothis embodiment, when the breast is positioned in the deformable member770 and the breast pump 700 is operated to generate negative pressurewithin the deformable member 770, the deformable member 770 deforms mostgreatly at the positions corresponding to the deformation guide portions778 shown in FIG. 13.

By this deformation, the two stimulating convexes 773 shown in FIG. 13positively approach each other (in directions indicated by arrows inFIG. 13). Since the mammary areola and other area of the user aredisposed between the two stimulating convexes 773 as illustrated in FIG.12, the two stimulating convexes 773 press the mammary areola and otherarea or give other actions thereto from above and below to intensivelystimulate those regions. Thus, the movement of the two stimulatingconvexes 773 is restricted to the vertical direction by the deformationguide portions 778.

When a baby and others take a mammary areola and a nipple of a motherinto their mouths to suck milk, they press the nipple taken into themouths by inserting the nipple between their tongues and their upperpalates or other area to peristaltically move the tongues. That is, ababy and others stimulate the nipple and other area from above andbelow.

Accordingly, the structure in which the stimulating convexes 773intensively stimulate the mammary areola and other area from both aboveand below the nipple and other area in this embodiment is similar to areal sucking motion of a baby and others, and thus attains efficientstimulation given to the breast.

Since the two stimulating convexes 773 are oblong ellipses asillustrated in FIG. 11, the longitudinal direction of the stimulatingconvexes 773 is disposed along a direction from the tip to the root ofthe breast when the breast of the user is positioned in the deformablemember 770.

It is known that a baby and others move their tongues from the tip tothe root of a nipple of a mother or others during peristaltic motion ofthe tongue for sucking milk. Since the stimulating convexes 773 areoblong in the same direction as the moving direction of the tongue, themanual breast pump 700 is allowed to act in a similar manner to the realmotion of the tongues of a baby and others.

The deformation guide portions 778 are oblong and have thinner walls inthis embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 13, but may be grooves in theshape of slits or have other shapes having thinner walls. Additionally,the deformation guide portions may have shapes easily bended such ascrank shapes formed on the deformable member 770 rather than thethin-wall shapes. The stimulating convexes 773 during use as describedabove are vertically disposed, but the deformable member 770 may beattached such that the stimulating convexes 773 are horizontallydisposed depending on users.

The cross-sections of the horn member 750 and the deformable member 770and other regions where the stimulating convexes 773 are disposed mayhave elliptical or oblong shapes having a larger length in a lateraldirection than in this embodiment. In this condition, the right and leftsides of the deformable member 770 as viewed in FIG. 13 are easilybended when negative pressure is created within the deformable member770 and the deformable member 770 is thus deformed. As a result, theright and left sides of the elliptical shape or other shapes are allowedto function as the deformation guide portions.

The present invention is not limited to the respective embodiments shownherein. Those embodiments may be combined to provide structures otherthan the described examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a manual breastpump in a first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the manualbreast pump shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates production of mother's milk in a humanbreast.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a condition where a lever shown in FIG.2 is shifted in a direction indicated by an arrow B 1.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an air leak condition.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a manual breast pump in an examplemodified from the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a main part of a manual breast pump ina second embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a manual breast pump in a thirdembodiment.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates an electrically-powered breast pump ina fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a horn member,a deformable member and other components as a main part of a manualbreast pump in a fifth embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the hornmember, the deformable member and other components shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 12 taken along aline A-A′.

-   -   100, 300, 400, 500 Manual breast pump    -   110 Milk bottle    -   130, 330, 530, 630 Communicating portion    -   131 Fixed piston    -   131 a Packing    -   132 Accommodating portion    -   150, 450 Horn member    -   151 Horn base end portion    -   151 a Positioning concave    -   151 b Base end side deformable member positioning portion    -   152, 552 Horn opening portion    -   153, 353, 453, 553 Vent opening    -   154 Curvature altering portion    -   170, 370, 470, 570 Deformable member    -   171, 571 Base end side detachable and attachable portion    -   172, 372, 572 Opening Side detachable and attachable portion    -   173, 373, 473, 573 Stimulating convex    -   173 a Outer surface portion    -   190 Negative pressure generating means    -   191 Lever    -   192 Piston guide    -   193 Leak tip    -   194 Pressure regulating means    -   200 Valve    -   201 Leaf spring    -   331 Hole for attaching and detaching base end side    -   432 Connecting means    -   451 b Base end side defmrable member positioning portion    -   471 Base end side detachable and attachable portion    -   600 Electrically-powered breast pump    -   610 Pump unit    -   610 a Power source switch    -   610 b Suction pressure controlling dial    -   620 Bottle holder    -   650 Bottle unit    -   640 Suction tube    -   S1 First opening    -   S2 Second opening    -   S3 Third opening    -   U1 First vent passage    -   U2 Second vent passage    -   U3 Third vent passage    -   778 Deformation guide portion

1. A breast pump, comprising: a milk container main body capable ofaccommodating sucked mother's milk; a deformable member configured toprovide a sealed space by contacting a breast; a horn member disposedoutside the deformable member; an internal space pressure alteringdevice that is configured to alternately provide a negative pressurecondition and an atmospheric pressure condition in the sealed space; anda communicating portion configured to connect the internal spacepressure altering device and the sealed space, wherein the horn memberis configured such that it does not deform when internal pressure withinthe sealed space varies and has a base end disposed near thecommunicating portion, an inner surface, and an opening end disposednear an entrance through which the breast is inserted; the deformablemember is configured to cover the inner surface of the horn member, todeform when internal pressure within the sealed space varies, and has anattachable and detachable portion which is attachable to and detachablefrom the horn member; the attachable and detachable portion has a baseend side attachable and detachable portion configured to be fixed to thebase end of the horn member and an opening side attachable anddetachable portion configured to be fixed to the opening end of the hornmember; the deformable member has a stimulating convex projectinginwardly; the stimulating convex is disposed between the base end sideattachable and detachable portion and the opening side attachable anddetachable portion; and the horn member has an atmospheric pressurecondition creating structure configured to maintain an atmosphericpressure condition in a space between the stimulating convex and thehorn member.
 2. A breast pump as set forth in claim 1, wherein thestimulating convex of the deformable member is disposed in a vicinity ofa curvature altering portion where a curvature of the base end of thehorn member changes.
 3. A breast pump as set forth in claim 1, whereinthe base end side attachable and detachable portion of the deformablemember is disposed between the communicating portion and the base end ofthe horn member.
 4. A breast pump as set forth in claim 1, wherein theatmospheric pressure condition creating structure is a vent opening thatconnects a space between the horn member and the deformable member withatmosphere exterior to the breast pump.
 5. A breast pump as set forth inclaim 1, wherein a deformation guide portion that is configured toregulate a deformation direction of the deformable member is provided onthe deformable member.
 6. A breast pump as set forth in claim 5, whereinthe stimulating convex is provided at a plurality of positions withinthe deformable member, and at least some of these stimulating convexesare opposed to each other on a first virtual line; and the deformationguide portion is disposed on a second virtual line which crosses thefirst virtual line connecting the stimulating convexes provided inopposition to each other.
 7. A breast pump as set forth in claim 2,wherein the base end side attachable and detachable portion of thedeformable member is disposed between the communicating portion and thebase end of the horn member.
 8. A breast pump as set forth in claim 2,wherein the atmospheric pressure condition creating structure is a ventopening that connects a space between the horn member and the deformablemember with atmosphere exterior to the breast pump.
 9. A breast pump asset forth in claim 3, wherein the atmospheric pressure conditioncreating structure is a vent opening that connects a space between thehorn member and the deformable member with atmosphere exterior to thebreast pump.
 10. A breast pump as set forth in claim 7, wherein theatmospheric pressure condition creating structure is a vent opening thatconnects a space between the horn member and the deformable member withatmosphere exterior to the breast pump.
 11. A breast pump as set forthin claim 2, wherein a deformation guide portion that is configured toregulate a deformation direction of the deformable member is provided onthe deformable member.
 12. A breast pump as set forth in claim 3,wherein a deformation guide portion that is configured to regulate adeformation direction of the deformable member is provided on thedeformable member.
 13. A breast pump as set forth in claim 4, wherein adeformation guide portion that is configured to regulate a deformationdirection of the deformable member is provided on the deformable member.14. A breast pump as set forth in claim 7, wherein a deformation guideportion that is configured to regulate a deformation direction of thedeformable member is provided on the deformable member.
 15. A breastpump as set forth in claim 8, wherein a deformation guide portion thatis configured to regulate a deformation direction of the deformablemember is provided on the deformable member.
 16. A breast pump as setforth in claim 9, wherein a deformation guide portion that is configuredto regulate a deformation direction of the deformable member is providedon the deformable member.
 17. A breast pump as set forth in claim 10,wherein a deformation guide portion that is configured to regulate adeformation direction of the deformable member is provided on thedeformable member.
 18. A breast pump as set forth in claim 11, whereinthe stimulating convex is provided at a plurality of positions withinthe deformable member, and at least some of these stimulating convexesare opposed to each other on a first virtual line; and the deformationguide portion is disposed on a second virtual line which crosses thefirst virtual line connecting the stimulating convexes provided inopposition to each other.
 19. A breast pump as set forth in claim 12,wherein the stimulating convex is provided at a plurality of positionswithin the deformable member, and at least some of these stimulatingconvexes are opposed to each other on a first virtual line; and thedeformation guide portion is disposed on a second virtual line whichcrosses the first virtual line connecting the stimulating convexesprovided in opposition to each other.
 20. A breast pump as set forth inclaim 13, wherein the stimulating convex is provided at a plurality ofpositions within the deformable member, and at least some of thesestimulating convexes are opposed to each other on a first virtual line;and the deformation guide portion is disposed on a second virtual linewhich crosses the first virtual line connecting the stimulating convexesprovided in opposition to each other.
 21. A breast pump as set forth inclaim 14, wherein the stimulating convex is provided at a plurality ofpositions within the deformable member, and at least some of thesestimulating convexes are opposed to each other on a first virtual line;and the deformation guide portion is disposed on a second virtual linewhich crosses the first virtual line connecting the stimulating convexesprovided in opposition to each other.
 22. A breast pump as set forth inclaim 15, wherein the stimulating convex is provided at a plurality ofpositions within the deformable member, and at least some of thesestimulating convexes are opposed to each other on a first virtual line;and the deformation guide portion is disposed on a second virtual linewhich crosses the first virtual line connecting the stimulating convexesprovided in opposition to each other.
 23. A breast pump as set forth inclaim 16, wherein the stimulating convex is provided at a plurality ofpositions within the deformable member, and at least some of thesestimulating convexes are opposed to each other on a first virtual line;and the deformation guide portion is disposed on a second virtual linewhich crosses the first virtual line connecting the stimulating convexesprovided in opposition to each other.
 24. A breast pump as set forth inclaim 17, wherein the stimulating convex is provided at a plurality ofpositions within the deformable member, and at least some of thesestimulating convexes are opposed to each other on a first virtual line;and the deformation guide portion is disposed on a second virtual linewhich crosses the first virtual line connecting the stimulating convexesprovided in opposition to each other.